Sidewall protector for a steel coil

ABSTRACT

A sidewall protector for a steel coil having a generally sheet-shaped and easily foldable structure, configured to accommodate and generally conform to the surfaces of the steel coils. The sidewall protector includes a top surface guard, a sidewall surface guard, and an integrally-formed hinge. The top surface guard and sidewall surface guard are positioned adjacent to each other on opposite sides of the integral hinge. The integral hinge extends longitudinally at least partially through the protective sheet. The top surface guard is configured for engaging the top surface of the steel coil and the sidewall surface guard is configured for engaging the sidewall surface of the steel coil. The integral hinge is configured so that said top and sidewall guards can be oriented angularly to each other and engage, respectively, both the top surface and the sidewall surface of the steel coil.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for protecting the surfaces andedges of steel coils especially during handling, lifting, andtransporting and, more specifically, to a sidewall protector for a steelcoil.

Known devices for protecting steels coil have focused on packaging, thatis, properly packaging a steel coil to contain it during handling andtransporting. Similarly, more dedicated protection devices for steelcoils have specifically concentrated on protecting the steel coil in thepackaging process, i.e., protecting the steel coil from packagingmaterials. These known devices include corner packaging guards, whichare used in conjunction with steel banding to securely wrap a steel coiland contain it during handling and transporting. The corner packagingguards protect the corner edges of a steel coil from deforming uponpressure from the banding and upon any impacts with the bands bysupporting the corner edges and separating the steel coil from contactwith the bands. These devices are relatively small and only cover theportion of the steel coil that would come into contact with the bandingmaterial at the corners of the steel coil. They do not cover or protectthe surfaces of the steel coil, which can come into contact withmachinery during lifting, moving, and positioning. Thus, despite theprotection that the corner packaging guards offer from banding, theyleave other substantial surfaces of the steel coil susceptible todamage.

U.S. Pat. D461,394, issued to Bergnach and incorporated by reference,shows an ornamental design for a steel coil sidewall guard. FIGS. 1-6 inBergnach '394 are relevant to the present invention.

Steel coils are extremely heavy objects that are awkward and verydifficult to lift, handle, and transport. Heavy, powerful equipment likeover-head cranes with large hooks, large fork lifts, and other stronglifting/moving equipment is required to lift, move, and position a steelcoil. Handlers must give much attention and take great care in the useof this equipment to try to avoid damaging the surfaces of the steelcoil, because the equipment is more powerful, heavier, and harder thanthe surfaces of a steel coil. Nevertheless, due to the harsh and busyenvironments in which steel coils are used, mistakes are likely, and canresult in dings, dents, impressions, and abrasions to surfaces of thesteel coil. This damage can make the steel coil material wholly orpartially unusable, creating excessive and expensive waste and scrap. Itmay reduce the value of a steel coil, which ultimately leads to lostincome.

Even taking the best precautions may not prevent damage to a steel coilduring engagement and handling due to the difficulty in locating theinner diameter or other secure location from which the steel coil can behoisted for movement. Poor sight lines for an equipment operator or arelatively distant steel coil may make a secure lifting surface on theinner diameter of the steel coil or a safe engagement trajectorydifficult for a crane or fork lift operator to visually ascertain. Thecrane or fork lift operator may accidentally bump into the steel coil orscrape against the sidewall or top surface of the steel coil with theequipment while attempting to position the hook or forks against asecure lifting surface. The surfaces that are especially susceptible todamage are the top and sidewall surfaces of a steel coil, because oftheir close proximity to the lifting or engagement surface at the top ofthe inner diameter. Moreover, a lifting crane hook may swing out ofcontrol around the top surface and the sidewall surface duringengagement with the steel coil before being secured within the innerdiameter of the steel coil. Also, the forks from a fork lift mayinadvertently contact the top and sidewall surfaces of a steel coilcausing damage during engagement.

Thus, a need exists for a device for protecting the surfaces of a steelcoil, specifically the top surface and sidewall surface, duringengagement with cranes, fork lifts, and other handling equipment andduring lifting, moving, and positioning of a steel coil. There is also aneed for a device to help equipment operators more easily visuallylocate an engagement position on a steel coil. Lastly, there is a needfor a sidewall protector for steel coils that is more easily fitted to asteel coil and better conforms to the shape of a steel coil.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-listed needs are met or exceeded by the present sidewallprotector for a steel coil. The sidewall protector has both a topsurface guard and a sidewall surface guard that cover and protect agreater amount of surface area of a steel coil than material configuredjust for packaging and containing. The top and sidewall guards have beenconfigured to cover a large enough area of the top and sidewall surfacesof the steel coil to protect the coil during engagement with heavylifting equipment. Moreover, the sidewall protector has been configuredto be positioned on the top of the coil, an area especially susceptibleto damage during handling and engagement with heavy moving equipment. Itfollows then that since this area is the area of engagement with heavyequipment, the current sidewall protector more clearly designates thisarea, which enables operators of heavy equipment to more easily see,guide, and position their equipment for engagement with a steel coil.

More specifically, the present invention provides a device forprotecting a steel coil including a generally sheet-shaped structurehaving a top surface guard, a sidewall surface guard, and anintegrally-formed hinge. The top and sidewall guards are positionedadjacent to each other on opposite sides of the integral hinge. The topsurface guard is configured for engaging the top surface of the steelcoil. The sidewall surface guard is configured for engaging the sidewallsurface of the steel coil. The integral hinge enables the structure tofold, so that the top and sidewall guards can be oriented angularly toeach other and generally conform, respectively, to both the top surfaceand the sidewall surface of the steel coil.

Further, the sidewall protector has been configured to betteraccommodate and more fully conform to the surfaces of a steel coil withwhich it engages. The top surface guard has outer flanges that generallyconform and embrace the radial top surface of a steel coil. Also, in thepreferred embodiment, the outer flanges include at least one bendingimpression or score, which allows the outer flange to more easily bendor form a radial surface, and keep this form. Therefore, the sidewallprotector can be easily fitted and installed, staying in position duringbanding. The sidewall surface guard, on the other hand, has a flat,rigid structure configured to generally match the generally flatsidewall surface of a steel coil. Therefore, the present sidewallprotector can more easily be installed on a steel coil and morecompletely support the top and sidewall surfaces of a steel coil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the presentsidewall protector for a steel coil showing a steel coil as part of theenvironment in which the present sidewall protector is used;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the presentsidewall protector for a steel coil in an open or unfoldedconfiguration;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present sidewallprotector for a steel coil in a folded configuration;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the presentsidewall protector for a steel coil in a folded configuration; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the presentsidewall protector for a steel coil in a folded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a preferred embodiment of the presentsidewall protector for a steel coil is generally designated 10. As bestshown in FIG. 2, the sidewall protector 10 has a generally sheet-shapedstructure and includes a top surface guard 12, a sidewall surface guard14, and an integral hinge 16. Preferably, the top guard 12 and thesidewall guard 14 will be large and broad enough to cover as much of thetop and sidewall surfaces of the steel coil as possible, while remainingpractically and easily handled by packaging equipment and packagingoperators. Also, as best shown in FIG. 2, the top guard 12 and thesidewall guard 14 are positioned adjacent to each other on oppositesides of the integral hinge 16. The integral hinge 16 extendslongitudinally at least partially through the protective sheet.Therefore, the integral hinge 16 enables the top guard 12 and thesidewall guard 14 to rotate in relation to each other. When rotated, thetop guard 12 can be configured at a 90 degree angle relative to thesidewall guard 14, as best shown in FIG. 4. FIGS. 1,3,4, and 5 all show,that as the top guard 12 and the sidewall guard 14 are configuredangularly to each other, they maintain integral connections with eachother and with the overall structure of the sidewall protector 10.Another embodiment of the present sidewall protector may use anotherstructural device, which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart, in the place of the integral hinge to enable the sidewall protectorto fold.

FIG. 1 shows how the present sidewall protector 10 is configured toengage the surfaces of a steel coil to protect those surfaces fromheavyweight hooks, fork lifts, or other heavy equipment duringengagement and disengagement with the steel coil and during lifting,moving, and positioning of the steel coil. The integral hinge 16 allowsthe top surface guard 12 and the sidewall surface guard 14 to beoriented angularly to each other to engage and generally conform withthe top surface and the sidewall surface, respectively, of a steel coil,as shown in FIG. 1. Further, in FIG. 1, the top guard 12 is shown toengage the top surface of the steel coil, while, at the same time, thesidewall guard 14 is shown to engage the sidewall surface of the steelcoil. FIG. 2 best shows that the top guard 12 has a middle portion 19,which integrally connects to the integral hinge, and also has two outerflanges 18 that protrude in opposite lateral directions from the middleportion 19. As depicted in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the outer flanges 18 haveneither a direct connection to the sidewall guard 14 nor the integralhinge 16. Therefore, the outer flanges 18 are free to bend and curvewithout structural restriction from the sidewall surface guard 14, whichis rigid and flat. Hence, the outer flanges 18 are able to generallyconform to the generally radial top surface of the steel coil. In thepreferred embodiment, as especially depicted in FIGS. 1,2, and 3, theouter flanges 18 include bending impressions or scores 24 on the frontsurfaces of the outer flanges 18, which enable the outer flanges 18 tobend more easily and remain in a prone bent or curved configuration.These bending impressions or scores 24 enable the sidewall protector 10to more readily conform to the radial top surface of a steel coil andremain in an engaged position with that surface during packaging orbanding of a steel coil. Another embodiment of the present sidewallprotector does not include bending impressions or scores in the outerflanges.

Further, as depicted in FIGS. 1,2,4, and 5, the sidewall surface guardis flat and rigid to better conform to the generally flat sidewallsurface of the steel coil. Also, as best shown in FIG. 2, the sidewallsurface guard has curved upper edges 20 on opposites side of theintegral hinge 16. The curved upper edges 20 are configured to generallyconform to the generally radial profile edge of the top surface of thesteel coil.

Therefore, the present sidewall protector is configured to protectsurfaces of a steel coil, which may be most susceptible to destructivecontact with heavy equipment during handling. The present sidewallprotector is configured to generally conform to the steel coil tosupport its features and be more easily fitted onto a steel coil.

FIG. 2 most clearly shows that at opposite lateral sides of the integralhinge 16, there resides two relief fillets 22. The relief fillets 22enable the sidewall protector to better accommodate and fit a steel coiland make it easier for an operator or machine to package a steel coilinto the sidewall protector 10. A better fit means that the top guard 12and the sidewall guard 14 more fully engage the surfaces of the steelcoil with most or all of their surface area. This situation provides themost protection for the steel coil. Further, the relief fillets 22create a separation space at the hinging or folding point between thetop guard 12 and the sidewall guard 14, lowering the sidewall guard 14,moving it more toward the center of the sidewall of a steel coil whereside to side cord lengths are longer, which can accommodate coils withsmaller diameters. The relief fillets 22 also prevent interferencebetween the top guard 12 and sidewall guard 14 while accommodating steelcoils with varying diameters and shapes. Therefore, the relief fillets22 allow more room for error during packaging to maintain a good fit ona steel coil. Further, the relief fillets 22 make it easier to installthe sidewall protector 10 on a steel coil by locating the top guard 12on a steel coil and bending the outer flanges inward against thediameter of the steel coil before sliding the sidewall guard 14 againstthe sidewall of the steel coil.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed, it should be understood that other modifications,substitutions, and alternatives are apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art. Such modifications, substitutions, and alternatives can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, whichshould be determined from the appended claims. The general shape ofsidewall protector 10 may vary in size and proportions to achieve thebest surface protection for steel coils of varying dimensions. Also, theshapes of the sidewall protector, the integral hinge, the bendingimpressions or scores, and all other elements of this invention areconfigured to be mass produced by processes well-known and apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art. Lastly, it should be understood thatthe present sidewall protector may be made out of a single piece ormultiple pieces of cardboard, fiberboard, plastic, or other capablematerial.

1. A device for protecting a steel coil comprising: a generallysheet-shaped structure having a top surface guard, a sidewall surfaceguard, and a means for folding said structure; said top surface guardand said sidewall surface guard positioned adjacent to each other onopposite sides of said means for folding; said top surface guardconfigured for engaging the top surface of the steel coil; said sidewallsurface guard configured for engaging the sidewall surface of the steelcoil; and said means for folding configured so that said top andsidewall guards can be oriented angularly to each other and engage,respectively, both the top surface and the sidewall surface of the steelcoil.
 2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said top surfaceguard includes a middle portion that integrally connects to said meansfor folding and two outer flanges that protrude in opposite lateraldirections from said middle portion.
 3. The device as defined in claim2, wherein said outer flanges are configured to generally conform to thegenerally radial top surface of the steel coil.
 4. The device as definedin claim 3, wherein said outer flanges each include at least one meansfor bending on the front surfaces of the outer flanges, whereby saidouter flanges can bend to generally conform and accommodate thegenerally radial shape of the top surface of the steel coil.
 5. Thedevice as defined in claim 1, wherein said sidewall surface guard isflat and rigid to generally conform to the generally flat sidewallsurface of the steel coil.
 6. The device as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid sidewall surface guard includes curved upper edges on oppositesides of said means for folding, whereby said curved upper edges areconfigured to generally conform to the generally radial front edge ofthe top surface of the steel coil.
 7. The device as defined in claim 1,wherein said means for folding has relief fillets on opposite lateralsides.
 8. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sidewallprotector is made from a cardboard, fiberboard, or plastic material. 9.The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said sidewall protector ismade out of a single piece of material.
 10. The device as defined inclaim 1, wherein said sidewall protector is made out of multiple piecesof material.
 11. A device for protecting a steel coil in combinationwith a steel coil comprising: a generally sheet-shaped structure havinga top surface guard, a sidewall surface guard, and a means for foldingsaid structure; said top surface guard and said sidewall surface guardpositioned adjacent to each other on opposite sides of said means forfolding; said top surface guard configured for engaging the top surfaceof the steel coil; said sidewall surface guard configured for engagingthe sidewall surface of the steel coil; and said means for foldingconfigured so that said top and sidewall guards can be orientedangularly to each other and engage, respectively, both the top surfaceand the sidewall surface of the steel coil.
 12. The device as defined inclaim 11, wherein said top surface guard includes a middle portion thatintegrally connects to said means for folding and two outer flanges thatprotrude in opposite lateral directions from said middle portion. 13.The device as defined in claim 12, wherein said outer flanges areconfigured to generally conform to the generally radial top surface ofthe steel coil.
 14. The device as defined in claim 13, wherein saidouter flanges each include at least one means for bending on the frontsurfaces of the outer flanges, whereby said outer flanges can bend togenerally conform and accommodate the generally radial shape of the topsurface of the steel coil.
 15. The device as defined in claim 11,wherein said sidewall surface guard is flat and rigid to generallyconform to the generally flat sidewall surface of the steel coil. 16.The device as defined in claim 11, wherein said sidewall surface guardincludes curved upper edges on opposite sides of said means for folding,whereby said curved upper edges are configured to generally conform tothe generally radial front edge of the top surface of the steel coil.17. The device as defined in claim 11, wherein said means for foldinghas relief fillets on opposite lateral sides.
 18. The device as definedin claim 11, wherein said sidewall protector is made from a cardboard,fiberboard, or plastic material.
 19. A device for protecting a steelcoil comprising: a generally sheet-shaped structure having a top surfaceguard, a sidewall surface guard, and a means for folding said structure;said top surface guard and said sidewall surface guard positionedadjacent to each other on opposite sides of said means for folding; saidtop surface guard configured for engaging the top surface of the steelcoil; said sidewall surface guard configured for engaging the sidewallsurface of the steel coil; said means for folding configured so thatsaid top and sidewall guards can be oriented angularly to each other andengage, respectively, both the top surface and the sidewall surface ofthe steel coil; said top surface guard including a middle portion thatintegrally connects to said means for folding and two outer flanges thatprotrude in opposite lateral directions from said middle portion; saidouter flanges configured to generally conform to the generally radialtop surface of the steel coil; said outer flanges each including atleast one means for bending on the front surfaces of the outer flanges,whereby said outer flanges can bend to generally conform and accommodatethe generally radial shape of the top surface of the steel coil; saidsidewall surface guard that is flat and rigid to generally conform tothe generally flat sidewall surface of the steel coil; said sidewallsurface guard including curved upper edges on opposite sides of saidmeans for folding, whereby said curved upper edges are configured togenerally conform to the generally radial front edge of the top surfaceof the steel coil; said means for folding having relief fillets onopposite lateral sides; and said sidewall protector being made from acardboard, fiberboard, or plastic material.